r struck pure and cold.
The large stars shone down through all the flooding radiance of the
moon. The familiar place, the strange place, the old-new place.... At
last Ian spoke, "Have you been to the Kelpie's Pool?"

"Yes. The day I came home I lay for hours beside it."

"I was there to-night. I came here from there."

"It is with us. But far beside it is also with us!"

"The carnival at Rome. When I left Rome I went to the Lake of Como. I
want to tell you of a night there--and of nights and days later,
elsewhere--"

"Come within, as we used to do, and talk the heart out."

They went back to the fire. It played and sang. The minutes, poignant,
full, went by.

"So at last prison and scaffold risks ceased to count. I took what
disguise I could and came."

"All at Black Hill know?"

"Yes. But they are not betrayers. I do not show myself and am not
called by my name. I am Senor Nobody."

"Senor Nobody."

"When I broke Edinburgh gaol I fled to France through Spain. There in
the mountains I fell among brigands. I had to find ransom. Senor
Nobody provided it. I never saw him nor do I know his name....
Alexander!"

"Aye."

"Was it you?"

"Aye. I hated while I gave.... But I don't hate now. I don't hate
myself. Ian!"

The fire played, the fire sang.

Alexander spoke: "Now your bodily danger again--You've put your head
into the lion's mouth!"

"That lion weighs nothing here."

"I am glad that you came. But now I wish to see you go!"

"Yes, I must go."

"Is it back to France?"

"Yes--or to America. I do not know. I have thought of that. But here,
first, I thought that I should go to White Farm."

"It would add risk. I do not think that it is needed."

"Jarvis Barrow--"

"The old man lies abed and his wits wander. He would hardly know you,
I think--would not understand. Leave him now, except as you find him
within."

"Her sister?"

"I will tell Gilian. That is a wide and wise spirit. She will
understand."

"Then it is come and gone--"

"Disappear as you appeared! None here wants your peril, and the griefs
and evils were you taken."

"I expected to go back. The brig _Seawing_ brought me. It sails in a
week's time."

"You must be upon it, then."

"Yes, I suppose so." He drew a long, impatient breath. "Let us leave
all that! Sufficient to the day--I wander and wander, and there are
stones and thorns--and Circe, too!... You have the steady light, but I
have not! The wind blows it--it flick